Transient lattice contraction in the solid to plasma transition of x-ray heated xenon clusters

Any sample in the focus of intense x-ray pulses will be transformed into a nanoplasma within femtoseconds. We have employed the novel two-color two-pulse mode available at the Linac Coherent Light Source free-electron laser to investigate the structural dynamics in nanoparticles upon x-ray exposure. We find that the nanoparticle transiently contracts within the first 80 fs following x-ray irradiation before ultimately disintegrating in a rapid hydrodynamic expansion. The contraction can be attributed to the massive x-ray induced electronic excitation that induces a collective change in the bond character of the nanoparticles. Alternative explanations for the contraction include a compression wave stemming from a rapid surface explosion of the nanoparticle. Computer simulations under way can elucidate the dominant contraction mechanism and yield further insight into the complex x-ray induced dynamics in nanoscale samples.